Course in Thermal-Hydraulic Codes RELAP5/TRACE
300-hour online course in RELAP5/TRACE thermal-hydraulic codes. 6 modules covering NRC RG 1.203 (transient and accident analysis methods), 10 CFR 50.46 (ECCS acceptance criteria) and RELAP5-3D. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
Course in Thermal-Hydraulic Codes RELAP5/TRACE — studying from Australia
Australia does not operate nuclear power plants, but nuclear science and technology play important roles in research, medicine, mining and regulation. The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation operates research reactors and produces radiopharmaceuticals, while uranium mining is conducted in South Australia, the Northern Territory and Queensland. Nuclear engineering skills support regulatory oversight, radiation safety and decommissioning activities. Employers include ANSTO, the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency, mining companies and specialist consultancies.
Fees for Australia: A$868 (AUD), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Australia
Typical roles
Questions from Australia
Does this programme meet Australian nuclear licensing or regulatory requirements?
No. SEIUM qualifications are private and are not accredited by any national body. Nuclear activities in Australia are regulated by the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency and related authorities, which set their own competency requirements. Check directly with the regulator and your employer about any qualifications needed for a specific role.
Which Australian organisations might consider this training for nuclear-related roles?
Australian employers in this area include research organisations, radiation protection services, mining and resources companies, and consultancies working on nuclear-related projects. Hiring depends on each organisation's requirements and on security and licensing needs. A private qualification is unlikely to be sufficient alone, so combine it with relevant experience.
Is the programme workable alongside a job, and how is it funded?
The programmes are delivered entirely online in English with an assigned technical tutor, allowing study from Australia around work commitments. Fees can be paid in instalments, and employer sponsorship is possible. Review the programme length, from 300 to 1,900 hours, and plan carefully.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Explain the fundamentals of two-phase system thermal-hydraulics.
Build component models with RELAP5.
Develop equivalent models with TRACE and SNAP.
Produce the nodalisation of a complete nuclear power plant.
Simulate operational transients and design basis accidents.
Interpret results against regulatory acceptance criteria.
Write a technical report on thermal-hydraulic analysis.
Who it's for
- Thermal-hydraulic analysis engineer who wants to specialise in thermal-hydraulic codes RELAP5/TRACE.
- Transient safety analyst who wants to specialise in thermal-hydraulic codes RELAP5/TRACE.
- Licensing engineer who wants to specialise in thermal-hydraulic codes RELAP5/TRACE.
- System codes specialist who wants to specialise in thermal-hydraulic codes RELAP5/TRACE.
- Operations support engineer who wants to specialise in thermal-hydraulic codes RELAP5/TRACE.
- Nuclear thermal-hydraulics researcher who wants to specialise in thermal-hydraulic codes RELAP5/TRACE.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter nuclear power plants.
What you'll work with
- NRC RG 1.203 (transient and accident analysis methods)
- 10 CFR 50.46 (ECCS acceptance criteria)
- NUREG-0800, Chapter 15 (transient and accident analysis)
- IAEA SSG-2 (deterministic safety analysis)
- 10 CFR 50 Appendix K (ECCS evaluation models)
- IAEA SSR-2/1 (safety of nuclear power plants: design)
6 modules · 300 h
1.1Two-phase conservation equations1.2Two-fluid model and six-equation model1.3Flow regimes1.4Constitutive closure relations1.5Heat transfer and boiling crisis1.6Critical flow and discharge1.7Semi-implicit numerical methods1.8History of RELAP5 and TRACE1.9Alternative codes: CATHARE and ATHLET1.10Workshop: flow regime in a heated channel
2.1Structure of the input file2.2Volumes, junctions and pipes2.3Components: pumps, valves and separators2.4Heat structures2.5Point reactor kinetics2.6Control variables and trips2.7Initial conditions and steady state2.8Restart and output of results2.9Interpreting common errors2.10Practical: simple loop model in RELAP5
3.1Differences from RELAP53.23D VESSEL components3.3SNAP graphical interface3.4Converting RELAP5 inputs3.5Vessel modelling3.6Coupling with PARCS3.7Physical model options3.8Post-processing with AptPlot3.9Time step control3.10Laboratory: PWR vessel nodalisation in TRACE
4.1Nodalisation criteria4.2Primary circuit of a PWR4.3Steam generators4.4Pressuriser and relief systems4.5Emergency cooling systems4.6Simplified secondary circuit4.7Qualification of nodalisations4.8Comparison with plant data4.9Documentation best practice4.10Case study: nodalisation of a three-loop PWR
5.1Small-break LOCA5.2Large-break LOCA5.3Loss of feedwater5.4Loss of offsite power5.5Steam generator tube rupture5.6ATWS and transients without trip5.7Validation with LOFT, LSTF and PKL5.8User effect and sensitivity5.910 CFR 50.46 requirements5.10Case study: small break in the cold leg
6.1Definition of the transient6.2Construction of the nodalisation6.3Steady state6.4Simulation of the base transient6.5Sensitivities and variants6.6Comparison with validation data6.7Evaluation of acceptance criteria6.8Model documentation6.9Report and presentation6.10Final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM Institute campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetable: students progress at their own pace within the intake, which makes it easy to combine with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is RELAP5-3D, TRACE, SNAP, Python (matplotlib), in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real procedures for nodalising a PWR plant, simulation of LOCA and operational transients, and validation against integral facilities. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final integrating project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Explain the fundamentals of two-phase system thermal-hydraulics.
Build component models with RELAP5.
Develop equivalent models with TRACE and SNAP.
Produce the nodalisation of a complete nuclear power plant.
Simulate operational transients and design basis accidents.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No prior degree is required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Sufficient Spanish to follow technical regulatory reading.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 300 hours spread over 3 to 5 months. That is an average of 10 to 15 hours a week, compatible with a full-time job.
You work with RELAP5-3D, TRACE, SNAP, Python (matplotlib). Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
A SEIUM own diploma upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrating project. It is in-house training, not an official Ministry qualification.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or Postgraduate Diploma in the same area are recognised in the higher programme. Check the recognition policy when you enrol.
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